Voice of the Martyrs to be heard Monday

By Linda Braden Albert
of The Daily Times Staff

Darcie Gill has traveled to many different countries. She is not going for pleasure, in the normal sense of the word -- she is going to serve the persecuted Christian church and give voice to the martyrs who are being abused and killed simply because they are Christians.

"Christians are by far the most persecuted group on earth," Gill, 58, said recently via telephone interview. Gill's travels as a representative of the non-denominational group, Voice of the Martyrs, have taken her to Cuba, Sudan, Vietnam, China, Pakistan, Korea, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia, Kashmir and India where she has met men, women and children living under persecution. Their stories are horrific:

A 14-year-old girl, captured by Muslim soldiers, raped, tortured, yet she would not recant her faith in Jesus Christ -- she would live for Christ or lay down her life for Christ, Gill said.

Or the pastor and his wife in Colombia, South America, beaten, tortured, the wife sexually abused in front of her husband. The soldiers mocked them, playing a Russian roulette game with guns at the pastor's head. After the soldiers left him in his cell, one guerilla came back and asked how his God kept the bullet from firing. The pastor shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with him.

Or the young mother, 22 years old, whose pastor husband did not have the proper papers as he traveled about his business one day. He was abducted, his body later returned to his father in a bag, cut into 30 pieces. The wife's reaction: "God demands justice and justice is that these men know Jesus," Gill said. "That's beyond us -- how do people do that? It's only by the grace and power of God."

The common thread that runs through all these stories and more is forgiveness, just as Jesus Christ forgave the enemies who put him to death upon a cross.

"I'm struck over and over how they forgive the persecutors and pray for them," Gill said.

In need of prayer

Gill travels to countries in which Christians are persecuted and, in a non-aggressive, non-threatening way to the persecutors to avoid any future problems for the Christians, brings literature, education, medical supplies, etc., to the martyrs -- Gill said many of these Christians do not have Bibles; they listen to the gospel message over the radio. She and other VOM volunteers also help find a safe place for those who are under attack, such as the children left when parents are killed or imprisoned.

When Gill, a Florida resident, returns to the United States, she shares the voice of the martyrs.

"I go anyplace," she said. "I speak wherever I'm invited and tell exactly what's happening all over the world. I share these people's stories and let their lives speak for themselves."

What do the persecuted Christians request most?

"Prayer," Gill said. "The number one thing people ask for is prayer. They know they couldn't get through this on their own."

Voices will be heard at Friendship Baptist

Gill will speak at 7 p.m. Monday during a special ladies' meeting at Friendship Baptist Church, 3310 Old Niles Ferry Road, Maryville. Ginger Atkins, the church's missions coordinator, said, "Christian persecution is very widespread, but it seems to be under the radar screen for many here in America. ... We are eager to get the message of Christian persecution out -- not to frighten people, but to request prayer for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Voice of the Martyrs makes a point to show their sufferings, but also their humanity, courage and dignity."

Gill said the stories are sad, yet victorious -- where persecution is strong, the gospel is spreading. And she knows this ministry to the martyrs of the church is what God has chosen for her to do.

"I know I'm supposed to do this with everything inside me," she said. "I know this is what I'm supposed to be doing."

Gill has been with Voice of the Martyrs for nine years. The Voice of the Martyrs is a non-profit, interdenominational organization with a vision for aiding Christians around the world who are being persecuted for their faith in Christ, fulfilling the Great Commission and educating the world about the ongoing persecution of Christians. VOM is headquartered in Bartlesville, Okla., with 30 affiliated international offices, and an enormous team of volunteers. For information, visit its Web site at www.persecution.com.